Reading Leader Recommendations!

 Source: pinterest

 

Your wonderful Reading Leaders have some book suggestions for you, especially if you are in Middle School!

Thank you to Callum and Mwayi for these excellent reviews- they certainly made me want to go out and read these books straight away! Click on the pictures to make them larger and easier to read:

Book of the Week!

Source: Amazon.co.uk

Sam is miserable. His parents have gone on a trip to the moon and he has been left in the care of the beastly Hilda Hardbottom. Life can't get any worse- until one day a spaceship lands in his cabbage patch; out of it steps a friendly little alien called Splodge. Splodge is a fantastic new friend for Sam, especially since he knows how to make him invisible! 'The Invisible Boy', by Sally Gardner, is perfect for 7+, and its combination of fun and magic is a perfect recipe for a story to be enjoyed time and time again.

By Rosa, Ella and Cordelia

Books of the Week!

We have some key-themed book selections for you this week!

'The Secret Garden', By Frances Hodgson Burnett, is a beautiful and descriptive book, that tells a moving story of a young girl and her new experience in England. After her parents' sudden death, Mary is sent to live with her uncle...
A perfect book for 8-12 year olds.

This book, by Sally Gardner-  appropriate for 11 year olds up - is a captivating story about a family and secrets. 'The Key That Led to Where' is a wonderful book. When A.J. finds a key and unusual events follow, he discovers many secrets... and lies, along the way. A door is found and A.J. must decide on which side he belongs; the past or the present.

By Ella, Cordelia and Rosa

Book of the Week!

Source: amazon.co.uk/ Emma McCann

Welcome back to school- we hope you all had a lovely holiday. This week we decided to pick a picture book for everyone to enjoy, and we think 'Munch' is perfect for all ages. It is an exciting story with a twist about a toast-loving monster called 'Munch', written by Emma McCann.

One day, while eating his favourite breakfast of 17 slices of toast with broccoli jam, he spots an article in the newspaper about a dangerous monster on the loose. What is he going to do?

Digital Writing Leaders

SCHOOL STORY: Miniature Max's Massive Mars Mission

Source: dribble.com

Year 6
Upon a high peak of a mountain stood an elf.  All alone.  You know, it is very lonely on top of a mountain, but the elf was used to that.  This was something he wanted to change.  He had always wanted to go to space, so he could look down on Earth and see who else was there.  In his dreams he dreamt of faraway galaxies and the hope of being surrounded by others and perhaps even finding a friend.  At that very moment he knew he had to turn his dreams into reality. 

As the day went on, the elf travelled further and further away from his mountain home in search of a way to get to space.  A sense of fear crept over him as he wandered further into the unknown…

Year 2

Max (the elf) was strolling along the dirty, wet, cobbled lane because he was trying to find an expert spaceman who would provide him with a rocket. Suddenly, as quick as a flash Jane the astronaut appeared out of nowhere.

Max was totally surprised.

 “Who are you?” he said, scared to ask the question.
Jane confidently replied,  “Have you not seen my brilliant spaceship, which can fly by itself?”

What will the future hold?.........

Nursery

Max couldn’t believe that he had finally found someone with a space ship.
“Can you take me to the moon?” he said
 Jane replied, “Of course I can, I’m an astronaut! Come and see my spaceship.”

 As they walked along the cobbled lane, they came closer and closer to the space ship.  Max cautiously pressed the button to open the spaceship door. Inside he found a white helmet, a drinking flask and white gloves ….

 Source: behance.net

Year 5
As he climbed carefully onto the gleaming silver polished floor of the spaceship, he grabbed the gloves frantically. However, Max instantly realised that the gloves were enormous, because he was just a miniscule elf! But that had never stopped him doing anything! As he pushed his tiny arm into the silky pearl white glove, something cold and furry dragged him head-first into its depths. 

Struggling and trembling, Max screamed for help. But no one could hear him because the spaceship had jerked into life. He could smell the burning grass below him and his teeth chattered as the ship vibrated around him. The deafening sounds became louder and louder until KABOOM! The ship launched into space and Max was violently thrown from his glove prison, landing with a splash in Jane’s drinking flask. 

Behind him, the furry creature was also thrown from the glove and clung to the rim of the flask…

Reception
Meanwhile, Jane was desperately trying to steer the spaceship back to her home planet of Jupiter. She wondered what had happened to Max. As she reached for the controls of the spaceship, she heard a strange bubbling sound coming out of her water flask. She looked inside and saw a tiny figure sinking deeper and deeper into the flask. It was Max! Jane reached her hand in to try and pull him out, but felt a sudden pain in her arm as the furry creature dug his claws into her skin.

Year 1
At this moment, as the creature dug its claws in deeper and deeper, Jane couldn’t reach the controls of the spaceship! The spaceship went out of control. It began vibrating violently and was spiraling towards Mars. Suddenly, the red button of the spaceship began to flash and beep. BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Jane breathlessly called out to Max, “Help, the creature is attacking me!”

SMASH!

…the red dust of the planet started to sprinkle back to the uneven ground. All you could see was broken parts of the spaceship everywhere. Damaged aircraft pieces were spread all over the place and covered in red space dust.

Source: bestanimations

Nursery
The hairy creature tried to gobble Jane up!
“Go away or you will go straight to jail!” screamed Jane
Meanwhile Max was still trapped, when he heard Jane’s scream. Cold and wet, he saw a glimmer of light. It was a tiny hole in the flask….

Year 3
Max frantically swam towards the dark, black, narrow hole thinking he could get through it.  Suddenly his lungs started to burn as he was rapidly running out of air.  Without hesitation he desparately dug his miniature fingers into  the damp rubber of the rusty flask.  Suddenly something grabbed him.  It was Jane! 
“Quick Max! Use this magical wand” screamed Jane determinedly.
Max zapped the monster with his wand and watched amazed as the monster disintegrated instantly in a puff of smoke.
They were safe.

Book of the Week!

Judith Kerr; Amazon

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, by Judith Kerr.
For ages 9+

With the growing threat of Hitler looming over Berlin, Anna and her family flee to escape the conflict. Before, Anna was too busy with friends and schoolwork to even notice the changes, but now she is running for her life.

Her father is wanted dead or alive and with so much changing around her, Anna feels like she's losing a main bit of her life. Through the eyes of a child, the story is told in a different way. This book is based on the personal experiences of the author, Judith Kerr, which really brings the book to life.

By Ella and Cordelia

Book Week!

Source: brainconnection

This week is an exciting one at St. Anthony's, but you may be wondering why. Well, this week is Book Week, and to celebrate we've got loads of fun events on. As always, World Book Day will be taking place; we can't wait to see your costumes! In addition, we've got competitions with cool prizes up for grabs, and reading events that you won't want to miss! All of this is to inspire you to get reading, and we want to make it our best year yet- so pick up that book!

Source: room5pcs2012

Don't forget the BOOK SWAP! Bring in a book that you don't want any more, then on Thursday you'll be able to take a new book home!

Source: cliparts.co

Also, remember to keep your eyes peeled for anything unusual- you know how St. Anthony's is rather prone to getting odd visitors...

It's Book Week!

All of the Digital Writing Team are very excited about Book Week- we hope that you are too! Thank you for all of the Mystery Reader photos we have received. You can see them in the hall; can you guess who they all are?! If you would like to enter, but haven't yet done so, please bring in your photograph ASAP!

We hope that we will see lots of you at 8:30am every day this week in the hall for 'Dads' Reading'. Bring a book and a male relative (although ladies are very welcome too!); find a comfy place to sit and settle in to start your day with a book!

On Thursday, the whole school will be dressed up as our favourite book characters! We'll have a special assembly to celebrate all of the wonderful costumes and to read this year's school story. We will also announce the winners of the 'Mystery Reader' competition!

During the week, you will also have the chance to enjoy some Buddy Reading. Your class will pair up with the year group that you worked with to create the beautiful book cover displays in the hall. Then, you will have a chance to read to a partner in the other year group! It will be lots of fun for the younger and older children in each group!

Mystery Reader Competition!

Source: thinkwonderteach

It's nearly Book Week at St. Anthony's! We will be celebrating with another fun photo competition. Last year's Extreme Reading was incredibly exciting and we had some wonderful entries!

This year's challenge is called 'Mystery Readers'.

What you need to do:
1. Pick your favourite book.
2. Create a disguise and pick an interesting location for your photo. Remember you must be safe- ask an adult to help you and don't take any risks.
3. Cover your face with your favourite book. You might also try wearing a mask!
4. Ask an adult to take a photograph of you, with your face covered safely.
5. Print the photo.
6. Write your name on the back.
7. Hand it in to Mrs Parrott ASAP!

Some inspiration:

Source: davyhulme

 Source: cheadleheath

 Source: 123rf

 Source: roebuck.herts

The entries will be on display in the hall and the winners from each phase group will be announced in assembly on World Book Day; Thursday 3rd March.

Good luck!

Book of the Week!

A special half-term suggestion for you!

'The Secret of Platform 13', by best-selling author Eva Ibbotson, is a magical book about a mystical world that lies behind the door on the platform of King's Cross Station. (We like mysteries about what lies inside magical doors at St. Anthony's!- Mrs Parrott) It only opens to the outside world once every nine years, and this time, four mysterious figures step out. They are on a mission to rescue the lost prince who was kidnapped the last time the door opened. But the problem is, the prince has become a spoiled child called Raymond Trottle- and he's determined not to be rescued! 

This book is perfect for 7+, though it will suit anyone who loves a good adventure.

Give it a go and tell us what you think!

By Cordelia and Ella

Book of the Week!

Source: Amazon, Amnesty

This week, we have especially chosen our Book of the Week, for all ages. 'We Are All Born Free' is written by Amnesty International to teach The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and is a beautifully illustrated book with meaningful pictures drawn by a number of well-loved artists.

Source: Amazon, Amnesty

It states the 30 rules that apply to everyone around the world, not just those who share the same religion or opinions.

 Source: Amazon, Amnesty

Recommended by the author of 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' and many others, this book is a true and beautiful message for everyone; young or old.

By Ella and Cordelia; Year 6 Editors

Editors' Letter

Firstly, a massive congratulations to our Writer of the Week, Yasmin, and to Rory from last week. They have wowed us with their talent, as has everyone who has submitted their work.

We are now running 'Book of the Week' to share great reads for you to enjoy! This week, we have chosen a lovely book; 'Library Lion' by Michelle Knudsen, a warm-hearted and touching story.

One day, a lion comes to the library and nobody knows what to do. The library has lots of rules- but their certainly aren't any about lions! We don't want to give away too much, but keep your eyes peeled in case you spot it anywhere.

We would recommend this book to everyone and agree that it is definitely worth the read.

Ella and Cordelia